Thursday, February 26, 2009

February 26, 2009...For the Joy of it...















I just thought I would post some pics and video...Jevesh is doing well...He is still healing and he is also growing ! He is now over 4kg and he has grown 2 inches since he was born.


The hope is for his continued growth and development so that he will be prepared for his next surgery, likely this April.












Thank You All for your continued support.






Tuesday, February 17, 2009

February 17, 2009...A belated but joy filled Valentine Posting

It is with great happiness in my heart that I write this blog.

JEVESH was released from the hospital...and the family was finally able to come home after two very long and stressful months.

Jevesh is certainly not in the clear and has a very, very long road ahead ...and in fact is expected to have his next surgery sometime in April or May (depending on his health, growth, and development)...However, the day, the moment, was of both joy and melancholy. Joy that they would finally be able to go home, if even for a short time..melancholy that they have had to go through so much in the last 6 months...and to face the first Valentine's Day without the love of her life, Amit. That he could not be there to carry his child from that hospital...That your heart can be so full of love, joy, and gratitude, and still be breaking at the same time...especially to face these days and the days to come, without the love and support of your best friend, husband, and love.


The hospital spent a week training Deepika on the use of the gastrostomy port, cleaning and maintenance, administration of medications, and the use of a variety of equipment including the feeding tube (like an IV that is "plugged" in to the port), syringes, a special scale, and a monitor for oxygen levels and heart rate. They spent a great deal of time discussing the risks, dangers, and concerns that she will face in the care of Jevesh while at home and away from immediate medical care. Hospital standards of cleanliness, sanitation, hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, air purifier, and so on (as you can well imagine given his fragile state) will have to be followed.

On Saturday, we made the long trek home. The house had been prepared in advance, for the most part, to welcome them home. It was a good feeling but scary too. It is the first time that Jevesh has not had constant medical supervision, but the doctors trained Deepika well, and she is an incredibly intelligent beautiful strong loving woman determined to do everything to protect her child....her number one priority.



We realize that many of you will want to visit, see the baby, etc. but please know that upon the Doctor's urging, due to Jevesh's extreme susceptibility to infection and his absolute need to stay healthy and strong as he prepares for his upcoming surgery, that Deepika will have no choice but to limit visitors. We also need to make sure that Deepika does not get sick (for obvious reasons). The following are some of the guidelines that the hospital recommended be followed (essentially the same policy they maintain for their NICU):

*If you have been sick any time in the last three weeks, please do not visit (even if you do not have symptoms, you may still be carrying infectious germs that can pose a health risk)

*If you have been AROUND ANYONE who has been sick in the last two to three weeks, please do not visit (again, even if you do not have symptoms, you may be carrying the germs that can cause those illnesses).

*If you are sick in any way, have a cough, cold, or rash, please refrain from visiting. Germs can be spread not only through touch but through the air (i.e. via breathing).

* Everyone will be asked to scrub their hands, under nails, up to the elbows, for a full minute (hospital practice at the NICU) to protect Jevesh and Deepika from germs.

*There will be hand sanitizer to use after washing hands and any other time that may require using the sanitizer.

Please call Deepika first to see if it is ok to visit before coming by (this will be dependent on how she is feeling, how Jevesh is doing, doctor appointments, getting sleep, and other issues that may arise).

Finally, and most importantly, Deepika wants to thank ALL OF YOU for your TREMENDOUS show of love, support, positive thoughts, prayer, good vibes, help, advice, and presence in her life...there are few words to express such gratitude for the outpouring of love she has received...Thank you all.



















Monday, February 9, 2009

February 9, 2009...Another procedure...and a Happy Birthday

The nightwatch


Just a brief note...Jevesh went in for a procedure this morning at 830 to have the doctors remove the original gastrostomy tube and place the MIC-Ke tube. All went well with the procedure and Jevesh is recovering. Hopefully this new tube will help alleviate some of the problems he has been suffering from digestively.


On another note...Happy 2 month Birthday to Jevesh...brave, strong, and beautiful...

On a side note, for those of you who use Firefox to access the internet, there appears to be some sort of a problem that keeps you from posting comments. If you would like to post comments, you will need to access the blog via internet explorer.

ALSO...please see the previous blog from February 6th...if you have memories of Amit that you would like to share, please do so and always feel free to leave Deepika and Jevesh your well wishes...and please pass the word on to others about Deepika and Jevesh...there are still many who knew Amit and Deepika that do not know all that has happened in the last 6 months.




The following is one of the videos I promised to post...


Friday, February 6, 2009

February 6, 2009...For Amit

As I write this blog, on this, the 6th of February, 2009...I sit and ponder the last 6 months...and how drastically so many lives have been changed...forever...6 months ago, we lost Amit, beloved husband, brother, uncle, father (to-be), friend...the heart aches at it all...an unending ache that will never quite be filled...

I look at lovely Deepika and beautiful Jevesh...two wonderful souls that have had to endure so very much...sometimes it feels like too much...but their strength, bravery, and endurance are lessons to us all...and I am a better person for knowing all of them and having them in my life.

Today, on my other blog, I discuss Amit and the tragedy that befell him and the travesty of justice that followed. Here, I would like to remember the good, the better, the best, of a man I considered a friend (and in his own way, passive teacher, offering saged wisdom despite his youth)...Deepika's best friend, her love, her husband, her life...And I welcome any and all who would like to add to this list...a rememberance of a dear and wonderful man...We are all better for having known him, if even for a brief moment in time...


* He was a good person

* His smile


* He was always so laid back - hardly anything ever bothered him and even if it did, it was not for long

* His saag (spinach dish) - delicious

* He was nice

* He was intelligent and had such passion and drive


* He wanted to try to always make someone else's day better and not sweat the stuff that really doesn't matter - people matter, material items can be replaced...

* His laugh

* He touched many people, from Chico, to Sacramento, Nevada, Texas, India, the world

* Tandoori style Pomfrey fish - honestly one of the best meals I have ever had, really


* We are all better for having known him

* He liked Okra (Bindi or ladyfingers)

* He was charismatic

* Singing to his Hindi music

* He had a magnetic personality


* His incredible energy and spirit

* His love of hot food - he could eat peppers straight up - he wanted to have his meals make you sweat

* He loved Deepika so very much…his life was perfect…he had a wife he loved, a child on the way, and his business was doing well…

* He is missed by many

* He is loved by more


This video includes pictures of Amit, Deepika, and Jevesh...may it warm your heart and touch your soul...Please don't drink and drive and don't let anyone else either...


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

February 04, 2009...a scare and then good news for a change

This last weekend, we had a bit of a scare. The gastrostomy tube that was surgically placed on January 22nd came out, luckily/thankfully, doctors were just around the corner and quick to action. A special tube was inserted into the vacated hole. Frustrations continued for the next day as doctors ordered multiple tests to ensure that the new tube was indeed properly place and that no leaks were present. Approximately 26 hours later, confirmation was received and Jevesh was finally allowed to eat (having been on IV fluid over the last day as the tests were conducted).

Happily, I report good news...Yesterday, Deepika called to let me know that Jevesh continues to be the miracle blessing that he is, fighting, and amazing doctors...his recovery is going well enough that they are moving him to the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit (IICU)...he is still in intensive care, however, this move is indicative of his improvement. Deepika remains hopeful that they will allow her to take him home for a short time before he must undergo his next surgery (for which no date will be set, rather, his condition monitored...when his oxygen saturation levels begin to maintain lower levels, that will be the signal that doctors will need to procede with their next course of action).

Stay Tuned...I took some wonderful pics and videos this last weekend...they take a little while to load...but they will be worth the wait...in a word...ADORABLE!

Please, as always, feel free to leave your questions, comments, well wishes, blessings, prayers, etc on the blog...Deepika checks it daily and is reading your comments...Thank you all for your support, prayers, etc.